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Soldiers arrest five IPOB members, rescue lawyers

Soldiers attached to Goodluck Jonathan Army Barracks, 14Brigade
Ohafia, Abia State have reportedly arrested five members of the
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, the commercial nerve of the
state.
Information gathered by our reporter has it the IPOB members were
said to be part of the pro-Biafra group that disrupted church service at
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Abayi, Ariaria in Osisioma Local Government
Area on Sunday, January 27.
Investigation by our reporter revealed the atmosphere in the church
got charged when some of the IPOB members who were also at the church
prevented a politician from the ruling PDP in the state from addressing
the church.
Sources at the venue stated that attempts by the presiding priest,
Reverend Father Nathaniel Oyedike failed as members of the group and
some parishioners joined in signing and chanting pro-IPOB songs which
brought the service to close abruptly.
It was gathered the parishioners and IPOB members who insisted that
they would rather have a referendum than being part of the 2019 election
in the state and other Southeast states stormed outside the church.
In the process, they damaged all the glasses of a PDP branded Sienna
bearing the picture of the incumbent senator representing Abia Central
and former Governor of the State, Theodore Ahamefule Orji.
Confirming the arrest of the IPOB members, a source from 14Brigade,
disclosed that the pro-Biafra members were arrested by troops of Sub
sector Bravo in conjunction with the personnel of Nigerian police, Abia
State Command that moved to the area and effectively salvaged the
situation.
“At the scene, it was reported that IPOB members were shouting no
elections in Biafra land and also attempted to beat the pastor; Reverend
Father Nathaniel Oyedike.“A vehicle and some chairs were reportedly damaged in/within the church premises.”
The source, who spoke anonymously, also stated as part of the gains
of the ongoing Egwueke III, personnel of Sector 2, Sub sector Charlie
stationed at Ubakala junction in Umuahia South LGA based on a distressed
call rescued two lawyers Barrister Loveth Nonye Ofoegbu and Barrister
Kaodi Onuoha reportedly kidnapped along Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South
Local Government of the state.
The soldiers were said to have started stop- and- search operation on
the road when they got information of the kidnap and on sensing danger,
abandoned their victims and made away to a nearby bush.
The source, who noted the military has recorded successes since the
inception of the Egwueke III, said the troops of Sector 2, Sub Sector
Alfa raided a hideout of suspected armed robbers in Ahaba, Imenyi
community of Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State where an
armed robbery suspect, one Mr. Chidiebere Orji was arrested while other
members of his gang are said to be at large.
Investigation indicated the gang members were alleged to be behind
the robbery of Mr. and Mrs. Kelechi Orji at their residence in Ahaba
Imenyi community where they carted away N4million.